Congress Theater defaults on $4 million loan

Even as controversial venue owner Erineo “Eddie” Carranza is trying to evict the current operators of the Portage Theater for back payment of $103,000 in rent — and on the same day he filed a $260,000 lawsuit against former development partner Phil Tadros for breach of contract — the bank that holds his mortgage filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court stating that he has defaulted on a $4 million loan and is moving to foreclose on the embattled Congress Theater.

Eddie Carranza (Andrew Gill/WBEZ)

Filed yesterday by the Chicago firm of Adelman & Gettleman on behalf of Delaware-based PNC Bank, the lawsuit claims that Carranza has defaulted on repayment of $4 million he borrowed in August 2007 and secured with a mortgage on the historic Congress Theater. The bank has been seeking repayment of the loan since August 2011.

In addition to payment of its legal fees, PNC Bank is seeking “an order for the appointment of a receiver, a judgment of foreclosure on the mortgage and sale of the subject property for payment of its lien and costs… and such other and further relief as the court deems just.”

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Also named in the 58-page lawsuit is the City of Chicago, though it is not clear why. (Legal experts say the city may have a lien on the property and PNC is seeking to terminate the lien.)

“It’s an insurance placement issue, it has nothing to do with non-payment on the loan,” Carranza’s attorney Thomas Raines said in an email when asked about the foreclosure lawsuit this morning. “It will be straightened out in a week.”

Three letters that PNC’s attorneys sent to Carranza between August 2011 and September 2012 about defaulting on the loan make no mention of insurance. The letters are attached as an exhibit in the lawsuit.

“I don’t have authorization to comment at this time,” said Attorney Brad Berish, who filed the suit for Adelman & Gettleman on behalf of PNC. “If that changes, I will get back to you.”

Carranza has been fighting the city in a battle on two fronts over issues at the Logan Square theater. At the same time, he recently closed on purchase of the Portage Theater at Six Corners for a price close to $3 million.

The next Deleterious Impact/Public Nuisance hearing on complaints against the Congress ranging from noise to the number of police calls to unsafe conditions for concertgoers is scheduled for May 7.

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The next hearing for complaints before the Liquor Commission is set for Jan. 15.

The commission has not responded to a Freedom of Information Act request for the specifics of the complaints against the venue in those proceedings.

Here you go again trying to start false rumors, Like the one yesterday about me buying Logan Theater and me not having meetings at Portage Park with Graham Elliot. I tried hard to bring in Elliot's his brand to Portage Park, for now it's not his market. I'm aiming high because I do believe 6 corners can be great again like the good old days full of life. The entrepreneur restaurateur operators I'm targeting are the best in the business. Please show support and I will continue working hard for the community to rebuild 6 corners together.

Jim, now you start rumors about me being foreclosed on Congress?Farthest thing from the truth. I have a perfect monthly payment historywith PNC bank. You can call and find out for yourself.

The issue I have with PNC is over an insurance policy issue, which will be takencare of in the next week. I will post the insurance issue resolved on this post next week.

I've have offers from music corporations offering me 5 times morethen I owe, why would I lose it to a foreclosure. You sound desperate.

Again, it's an insurance placement issue, it has nothing to do with non-payment on the loan (although I'm sure you wish it did!). It will be straightened out in a week.

Just a thought Jim, if you directed some of the energy and diligence you expend digging into my every move and happenings on something worthwhile, you could become a productive member of society.